News: Blue Inc pick Rotherham for first retail park store

Young fashion chain, Blue Inc, has chosen Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham to launch its first UK shopping park store.

The rapidly expanding retailer, offering ladies and men's high street fashion, is taking 10,512 sq ft over two floors at the popular park.

Trading since 1912 and originating from London's East End, Blue Inc has pushed on through the economic downturn, snapping up High Street stores from struggling retailers including D2, Officer's Club and republic in recent years to grow to over 200 stores.

Steven Cohen acquired the company in 2006 and investors including former boss of Marks & Spencer, Sir Stuart Rose and The Reuben Brothers have backed the company over the past two years to support its ongoing growth. Profits were an estimated £3.8m in 2012.

The Rotherham store is the company's first in a retail park location and follows from international expansion through franchises in countries including Malaysia, Estonia and Latvia.

It is estimated that Blue Inc now has a workforce numbering over 2,500, with over 85% aged in the 16-29 year old youth "high unemployment" bracket.

Owned by Hercules Unit Trust, which is advised by British Land and managed by Schroders, Parkgate Shopping is one of the largest retail parks in the UK, home to over 40 shops and attracting around seven million visitors a year.

The 11,286 sq ft unit lease for a Nike Factory Store has also been confirmed.

Matt Reed, senior asset manager for British Land, said: "We are continuing to actively develop our shopping park portfolio and evolve the retail mix across our parks. Nike and Blue Inc are welcome additions to Parkgate Shopping and complement the existing provision. This is Nike's second store with HUT and we are delighted to strengthen our relationship with another worldwide recognised brand."

British Land was represented by Wilkinson Williams, Morgan Williams and Harvey Spack Field. CBRE acted for Nike and Harvey Spack Field acted for Blue Inc.

Blue Inc website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Blue Inc

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News: Nike set to open new store in Rotherham

American sports brand, Nike, is planning to open a new factory store at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham.

Taking over the 10,000 sq ft unit vacated by fellow sports retailer, Sports Direct when it expanded into the former JJB Sports unit next door, the Nike factory store will offer authentic Nike products from previous seasons, at discounted prices. These include sports apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment.

This week also saw the first Early Learning Centre and Mothercare outlet store open within the current Mothercare unit on the park. Mothercare has been reducing the number of High Street stores for the ELC brand it acquired in 2007, with the aim of taking the best sites from both brands and creating more profitable stores with two brands in the one location.

A planning application has been submitted for new signage at the Nike factory store, the first in South Yorkshire, and recruitment is underway for store management.

Trade magazine Retail Week reported earlier this year that Nike was planning to double its UK store portfolio to 60 over the next few years with a focus on out-of-town expansion. One recently announced deal will see Nike open its first UK non-discount shopping park store at Broughton Shopping Park in Chester.

Owned by Hercules Unit Trust, which is advised by British Land and managed by Schroders, Parkgate Shopping is one of the largest retail parks in the UK, home to over 40 shops and attracting around seven million visitors a year.

The latest deal signifies an upturn for the park in terms of lettings after a difficult 2012 when it was hit by a number of retail administrations. Big names including Comet, JJB Sports, HMV, Birthdays, GAME, Peacocks and Shutopia left the park with Kiddicare and Frankie & Benny's the most recent openings. The park now has just three vacant units including the large unit vacated by Comet when the electronics retailer went into administration.

In July, planning permission was granted for the installation of a mezzanine floor adding 5,000 sq ft to the unit currently occupied by BHS. The unit to be taken by Nike will have its mezzanine floor removed.

Meanwhile, at the nearby Foundry Retail Park, the owners, Brockton Capital and Pradera, have recently submitted plans to sub-divide the large unit recently vacated by Staples in the hope of securing lettings for two smaller units.

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Nike / Triplar

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